Published on July 16 | Updated on July 17<\/p>\n
PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) \u2014 The Canadian wildfire smoke is gradually dissipating in the Philadelphia region. The air quality went from a “very unhealthy” Code Purple early Friday to a less severe Code Red by the evening. <\/p>\n
The haze was thicker and darker Friday morning, and the campfire odor was even stronger than it was the day before. Around 6 a.m., the air quality index was at 262 in Philadelphia, which is considered to be very unhealthy for everyone. By 2:30 p.m., the air quality index dropped from Code Purple to Code Red \u2014 about 196. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has declared a Code Orange Air Quality alert for Saturday in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties, as rain and thunderstorms are expected to improve conditions. The rest of the Commonwealth is expected to remain in Code Yellow.<\/p>\n
Those with lung or heart disease, older adults, children, and teens are encouraged to stay indoors as much as possible. Those considered to be healthy are also encouraged to limit their exposure.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday is not the day to start your marathon training plan,\u201d said Dr. Palak Raval-Nelson, commissioner of the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. \u201cIf you don\u2019t need to be outside, try to limit your time out there. If you do go out, make sure to protect yourself: take frequent breaks, especially if you can get indoors, and consider wearing an N-95 or KN-95 mask.\u201d<\/p>\n
While conditions are \u201cbetter than they have been,\u201d Raval-Nelson said this is \u201ca changeable situation depending on the wind pattern and other things.\u201d<\/p>\n
Health risks<\/p>\n
Lankenau Medical Center pulmonologist Dr. Leah Lande said these tiny particles from the smoke can lead to serious issues.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt can reach deep into the respiratory system and, when it does that, it can cause very significant breathing problems,\u201d Lande told NBC10<\/a>. \u201cWildfire smoke, if it\u2019s less than 2.5 micrometers, can actually cross into the bloodstream and cause inflammation in the body, not just in the lungs.\u201d<\/p>\n